New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola makes his home bow at Anfield against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday as the club tries to tie up a deal for France and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Iraola said Thursday it is no secret the club are in the hunt for more wingers after reports the Reds are edging closer to a deal for Barcola.
A source close to the negotiations said that transfer talks with the European champions are “on the right track”, for a reported package worth up to £120 million ($163 million) to buy Barcola.
Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as potential recruits to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.
“We cannot talk about players that right now are not ours, but it is evident that we are trying to improve or try to fill that position because we don’t have the numbers,” Iraola told a pre-match press conference ahead of his home debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there.”
The arrival of French international Barcola could lead to Cody Gakpo’s exit from Anfield.
The Dutchman, who scored in Iraola’s first match in charge in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle last weekend, is reportedly a target for Manchester City and Tottenham.
“When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone. You never know who’s going to arrive,” Iraola added when asked about Gakpo’s future.
“I would like to know how the market finishes but I don’t know what will happen with any of our players. I cannot guarantee anything.”
Liverpool’s only new signing to start against Newcastle was centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, a deal for whom had been agreed since January.
Ronald Araujo and Victor Munoz also came off the bench at St James’ Park, but Iraola is desperate to get beyond next week’s transfer deadline and know the squad he has at his disposal.
“I will be comfortable on September 2 when they tell me ‘This is who we are, these are the options we have’ and then we can start thinking about players in the positions,” he added.
“I have in my head what I want, we have been talking since the beginning and they know also what we want, and then it is a matter of closing the deals.
“You think I can smell who we are going to sign or what position but experience shows you that, if there is an opportunity on the last day, let’s take it.”
AFP
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